Digital Collections

A new grant cycle is now open for Washington Rural Heritage. The purpose of this grant cycle is to support small and rural libraries in the development of sustainable digitization programs. To date, more than 25 libraries and cultural institutions throughout Washington have contributed to the initiative. Overall funding to support this grant cycle is $50,000, with a maximum award of $10,000 per application. It is anticipated that five (5) or more applicants may receive awards.

This week, Gordon Russ, another longtime volunteer, shares his impressions of early pioneer newspapers.

"... and before us was a dark sea-wall of mountains..." With those words, Caroline Leighton ended a journey from the civilized eastern states and began recording her responses to fifteen years on the Pacific coast. Born and educated in New England, she worked in a school for former slaves in Washington DC during the Civil War. There she met her future husband, Rufus Leighton. After the war they married and sailed for the Pacific Northwest where Rufus had an appointment as a customs official.